Frame Building

What should I use to build my mini chopper frame? When building your mini chopper frame the materials used will depend on your budget and how you will weld your frame. A good way to start is with 3/4 inch schedule 40 black pipe this pipe has an outside diameter of 1 inch and is very easy to work with. You can also Mig weld it which will provide a strong weld and is less expensive than if you were to invest in a Tig welder. If you have a Tig welder or a more expensive 240 volt gas mix Mig welder you can go with DOM tubing, this will increase your frame cost and is generally a lot harder to bend. So lets say you wanted to go Aluminum which will make your frame very light then you would definitely need a Tig welder and your cost would definitely be higher .

Bending you pipe, rule of thumb is the least amount of welds on a frame the stronger it is going to be. You want the strongest possible frame you can make. A good pipe bender is going to be crucial to getting you a good strong frame. You want to make bends in your pipe and not kink the pipe, as this will detract from the strength of the frame and not look good overall. I have seen a few benders out there but I like and use the JD2 bender this bender with its radius wheel provides consistent bends through out and is simple to use.



Pipe fitting or weld joints. For you to achieve a good solid joint it is important to have a strong seamless joint. The use of a pipe notcher is strongly recommended it will provide the correct angle and cut when used properly. Notice the image below this is a good example of a proper joint.



Remember try try and try again. Test you joints before you weld take measurement for squareness use a level to insure your frame is straight and plumb. The more time you invest in prep before you weld the better your frame will turn out. Probably the most important of all, if you are not confident in your welding abilities let a professional do it for you or buy a frame as always safety first.

In the end remeber to look at the entire project from begining to end so that when you are buying your parts get the best quality you can afford and take note of how much you overall bike will weigh as this will directly affect how fast your Mini Chopper will go

The veiws and comments of the author are for entertainment purposes only the author is not responsible for any injury or damages which may occur as a result of this article.